Clinical Governance Manager

Position Overview

Are you dedicated to enhancing clinical governance? An exceptional opportunity has emerged for a qualified Midwife/Nurse to become a vital member of the governance team within the Women's and Families Health Directorate at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. This role is situated within a multifaceted directorate, emphasizing support across all services.

The selected candidate will collaborate with the team to implement, assess, and integrate strategies and frameworks that uphold the principles of clinical governance within the Women's and Families Health Services.

The successful applicant will work alongside the team to establish and enhance robust systems that evaluate and mitigate risks to the organization, staff, patients, and visitors. Emphasizing learning from incidents, external reviews, complaints, and inquests will be crucial in fostering improvements in safety and quality of care.

Key Responsibilities

The incumbent will be accountable for facilitating effective governance and risk management systems across maternity, neonatal, and gynecological services. They will collaborate with leaders within the Women's and Families Health services to ensure effective communication systems are established and to uphold exceptional standards of care and compliance with both national and local regulations.

The role will involve supporting patient safety and quality improvement initiatives, ensuring compliance with Duty of Candour requirements, and providing feedback to families following the review of clinical incidents. The individual will take a proactive role in auditing practices, analyzing results, and preparing reports for presentation. They will also support quality improvement initiatives by identifying areas for enhancement and themes arising from clinical incidents, as well as assisting in the development and updating of clinical guidelines. Additionally, the post holder may be required to provide clinical care to women and their families as needed.

About the Organization

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust employs over 6,500 staff who deliver compassionate care across two main hospitals and various community sites. The Trust is proud to have nearly 150 volunteers contributing to its mission.

The organization offers a wide range of services, including urgent and emergency care, medical and surgical services, maternity and gynecological care, critical care, children's services, end-of-life care, and outpatient and diagnostic imaging services.

The Trust is committed to modernizing and investing in health services to enhance its strong reputation. As a foundation trust, it operates as a public leader in improving quality in health services, with decisions driven by independent boards that listen to their Council of Governors and respond to the needs of patients, staff, and the local community.

Job Duties

• Assist quality and safety leaders within the perinatal, neonatal, and women's services management team to ensure all governance arrangements and reporting structures are effective.
• Utilize leadership, communication, and negotiation skills to provide advice and support to the multidisciplinary team, ensuring that learning from incidents positively impacts patient safety.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant Trust-wide policies and guidelines within maternity, neonatal, and gynecological services, and ensure timely dissemination of safety alerts.
• Participate in clinical audits and make recommendations for practice improvements.
• Attend clinical governance meetings regularly and provide specialized patient safety and quality improvement advice.
• Develop information packages for service users.
• Escalate any issues that hinder the delivery of high-quality services to the quality and safety team leaders and senior management.
• Support benchmarking of service delivery against national pathways, identify gaps, and develop strategies for quality enhancement.
• Analyze data from incidents and Morbidity and Mortality meetings to identify themes and trends requiring further investigation.
• Contribute to written reports on risk, incidents, and complaints, identifying trends and making recommendations for action.
• Maintain databases of adverse outcomes and service reviews as necessary.
• Lead or participate in specific quality improvement projects related to patient safety.
• Ensure compliance with Duty of Candour regarding patient safety incidents, providing support for clinical staff.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary morbidity and mortality reviews and disseminate learning and feedback.
• Liaise with Professional Midwifery and Nursing Advocates to ensure support for staff involved in clinical incidents.
• Review and develop guidelines in alignment with local and national standards.
• Evaluate service user feedback and share trends through learning platforms.
• Network with other quality and safety midwives/nurses regionally and nationally to share best practices.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise initiative in handling complex and sensitive incidents.
• Pursue professional development to enhance the delivery and evaluation of evidence-based care.
• Adhere to the NMC Code and fulfill mandatory training requirements.
• Participate in appraisals for self and others.
• Collaborate with Research and Innovation to promote research and disseminate findings to support evidence-based practice.
• Safeguard the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults at all times, adhering to safeguarding policies.
• Report concerns regarding risk, malpractice, or wrongdoing following the Whistleblowing policy.
• Undertake duties in other wards or departments as required by service demands.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Registered Midwife/Nurse/RSCN
• Degree in Midwifery/Nursing or equivalent experience
• Evidence of ongoing professional education and development
• QIS Neonates (Neonatal post)

Desirable

• Risk management qualification
• NLS (Neonatal post)
• Master's Degree or progress towards master's level qualification
• Leadership experience or qualification

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Essential

• Proven experience in developing self and others and implementing practice changes
• Extensive experience in neonatal care
• Understanding of reporting requirements to external bodies
• Experience in clinical audit
• Comprehensive knowledge of maternity/nursing practices
• Familiarity with national patient safety agenda and NHS England and CQC priorities
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of quality and safety agendas
• Willingness to acquire new skills through training
• Flexible, motivated, and supportive of colleagues
• Capability to manage a diverse range of work independently
• Strong organizational and planning abilities
• Commitment to sharing knowledge for the professional development of others
• Resilience and effectiveness under pressure

Communication and Relationship Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills, particularly in sensitive situations.
• Ability to tailor communication styles to different audiences
• Proficiency in data analysis and report generation
• Ability to foster strong working relationships with all staff